An email from Metropolis remembering Whitacre is posted after the jump.

Liza Whitacre died yesterday. She lived more in 20 years than anyone that I have ever known. Her approach to being was so simple - love it, whatever it is. That, for Liza, was so many things. Coffee, biking, friendship, school, figure skating... She meant the world to us, and we will never forget her strong and positive impact on each and everyone of us. She radiated, she beamed, she rubbed off that pixie glow on everyone that she came across.

Many of you know Liza. We are collecting cards, memories, photos, and stories at the cafe. If you would like to leave a card, I am sure that her family will really appreciate it.

Thank you for understanding, and for being kind during this time - our crew is reeling and grieving, and we may require a little patience.

Here is a recent photo of Liza - she had just gotten a tattoo of a coffee tree. The image of the tree came from Dr. Illy's book on coffee - an incredibly scientific, long winded, and difficult book to grasp. Liza read it in 2 days.

Liza was an amazing person. I went to church group with her in high school and she was the most genuine and loving people. I remember when she had finally mastered playing "time of your life" by green day and how excited she was and she brought her guitar to small group and played for us. She was just so amazing and so much fun to be around. I always felt like a better person being around her. I can't believe this happened. She was far too good and far too young.

I was there. I didn't know who she was at the time, but today, at the wake, I learned that I know the poor girl who lost her life Wednesday. Liza made my coffee every morning, and we joked about that. She was always smiling, the kind of smile that brightens one's morning and makes all petty annoyances of the morning that much more trivial. I will always be haunted by what I saw that afternoon, but more so, I will always remember her for her smile.

Liza was sweet and bright and just exuded the most amazing positive energy. She took my ethics and international politics class, and she was so engaged and tried so hard despite being one of the youngest students in the class. God bless you, Liza, and may He comfort your family and friends and ease their suffering.

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...Read this feature »